Written Answers Tuesday 25 October 2005

Scottish Executive

BSE

Bruce Crawford (Mid Scotland and Fife) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many tonnes of rendered cattle are still in storage as a result of BSE regulations; where such rendered cattle is stored, and what amount is stored in each location.

Ross Finnie: The only rendered material currently stored in GB as a result of BSE regulations is Over Thirty Months Slaughter Scheme meat and bone meal and tallow. There is no such material currently in store in Scotland.

Construction Industry

Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what impact the implementation of the EU Energy Performance in Buildings Directive will have on other areas of energy policy in Scotland in respect of domestic dwellings, such as the Home Energy Conversation Act 1995, fuel poverty strategies, the Scottish Housing Quality Standard, local housing strategies and climate change.

Johann Lamont: I have asked Dr Paul Stollard, Chief Executive of the Scottish Building Standards Agency (SBSA), to answer. His response is as follows:

  The SBSA is currently in the process of developing its directive implementation strategy, which includes working with other policy areas of the Scottish Executive.

  As the directive is not yet implemented there is at present no quantifiable and measurable outputs available. However, it is anticipated that this directive, when implemented, will have a positive impact on climate change and may augment other areas of energy policy in Scotland in respect of dwellings.

Construction Industry

Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what process is being used in order to decide which methods should be used to measure the energy performance of domestic dwellings for the requirements of the EU Energy Performance in Buildings Directive.

Johann Lamont: I have asked Dr Paul Stollard, Chief Executive of the Scottish Building Standards Agency (SBSA), to answer. His response is as follows:

  Scotland shall apply a methodology of calculating the energy performance of buildings on the basis of the general framework set out in the Annex to the directive. The mandatory standard for a methodology will be expressed in functional terms, to ensure that there is no possible conflict with the Construction Products Directive. This approach will make it possible for consideration to be given to the use of any Directive compliant methodology, both for setting the energy performance standards and the production of energy performance certificates.

Construction Industry

Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what external consultation is taking place as part of the process of deciding how to implement the EU Energy in Performance in Buildings Directive.

Johann Lamont: I have asked Dr Paul Stollard, Chief Executive of the Scottish Building Standards Agency (SBSA), to answer. His response is as follows:

  The SBSA has uploaded A circular on how Scotland will implement the EU Directive on the energy performance of buildings onto its website. This circular welcomes comments and has effectively acted as a scoping exercise. Several parts of the directive are already met by Scottish building regulations. Where additional secondary legislation is necessary, a formal public consultation will be carried out. This consultation will commence in March 2006.

Construction Industry

Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when the deadline is for submission of comments on the implementation of the EU Energy in Performance in Buildings Directive.

Johann Lamont: I have asked Dr Paul Stollard, Chief Executive of the Scottish Building Standards Agency (SBSA), to answer. His response is as follows:

  The SBSA has uploaded A circular on how Scotland will implement the EU Directive on the energy performance of buildings onto its website. This circular welcomes comments and has effectively acted as a scoping exercise. Comments on this circular are welcome at any time. Where additional secondary legislation is necessary, a formal public consultation will be carried out. This consultation will commence in March 2006 and last for twelve weeks. Comments will be welcome throughout the period of the consultation.

Crofting

Rob Gibson (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how long crofts 8, 10/11 and 21/22 on Syre estate have been vacant.

Ross Finnie: The department has been working towards obtaining vacant possession of the crofts at 8, 10/11 Syre and 21/22 Syre since the Scottish Land Court orders granting removal of the tenant were confirmed in April 2004.

Crofting

Rob Gibson (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive when crofts 8, 10/11 and 21/22 on Syre estate will be relet.

Ross Finnie: The department has been working towards obtaining vacant possession of the crofts at 8, 10/11 Syre and 21/22 Syre since the Scottish Land Court orders granting removal of the tenant were confirmed in April 2004.

  The matter has now been referred to the police for action under the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 in relation to lost or abandoned animals. It is hoped that this latest step will result in the livestock being removed from the crofts, and allow Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department to carry out necessary remedial works, after which they will be re-let.

Crofting

Rob Gibson (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether tenants have been identified to fill croft vacancies at crofts 8, 10/11 and 21/22 on Syre estate.

Ross Finnie: No.

  One formal expression of interest in the tenancies of the crofts at 8, 10/11 and 21/22 Syre has been received.

Crofting

Rob Gibson (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether there have been any expressions of interest to the landlord from potential tenants for crofts 8, 10/11 and 21/22 on Syre estate.

Ross Finnie: One formal expression of interest in the tenancies of the crofts at 8, 10/11 and 21/22 Syre has been received.

Crofting

Rob Gibson (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive when action was taken to remove stray and unwanted stock left by the previous tenants of crofts 8, 10/11 and 21/22 on Syre estate.

Ross Finnie: The department has been working towards obtaining vacant possession of the crofts and removal of the livestock left by the previous tenant since the Scottish Land Court orders granting removal of the tenant, were confirmed in April 2004.

  The matter has now been referred to the police for action under the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 in relation to lost or abandoned animals.

Crofting

Rob Gibson (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many crofts on its estates were without tenants on 1 October 2005.

Ross Finnie: Three crofts (including 8, 10/11 and 21/22 Syre) on Scottish Ministers’ Estates were un-let as at 1 October 2005.

Crofting

Rob Gibson (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the longest time is that crofts have been left untenanted on its estates.

Ross Finnie: This information is not held centrally.

  The time taken to re-let crofts can vary considerably from case-to-case depending upon the circumstances. There have been cases where due to legal or other complications it has taken some three to four years for re-letting to be completed.

Crofting

Rob Gibson (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the average time is to fill croft tenancies from vacated crofts on its estates.

Ross Finnie: This information is not held centrally.

  The time taken to re-let crofts can vary considerably from case-to-case depending upon the circumstances.

  Straightforward cases are re-let within the three month statutory period. However, there have been cases where due to legal or other complications, it has taken some three to four years for re-letting to be completed.

Crofting

Rob Gibson (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether an up-to-date map of its crofting estates has been produced, showing accurately the crofts, dwellings and common grazings therein.

Ross Finnie: The Executive does hold up-to-date maps of Scottish Ministers’ Crofting Estates which give details of croft boundaries and common grazing areas. Individual dwellings are not shown/mapped since croft houses invariably belong to the tenants.

Dentistry

Mr Brian Monteith (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether Dundee Dental Hospital has a resident consultant in oral medicine; if not, for how long it has not had one and when one will be appointed.

Lewis Macdonald: This is an operational matter for NHS Tayside. I have, however, had enquiries made of NHS Tayside and understand that it is in the process of recruiting a replacement Consultant in Oral Medicine. This post has been vacant for two years. Although NHS Tayside has had difficulty in filling it, I understand that it is now making progress and has agreed with the University of Dundee that that funding should also be made available for a second Consultant in Oral Medicine post. Interviews for both posts are due to be held on 9 November 2005.

Dentistry

Mr Brian Monteith (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that the facilities at the Glasgow Dental School are fit for purpose and whether there are any plans to upgrade student and staff facilities.

Lewis Macdonald: Ensuring that the standards of facilities at Glasgow Dental Hospital and School is the responsibility of Glasgow University and Glasgow Health Board.

  Glasgow Dental Hospital is housed within a variety of buildings, the oldest of which dates back to the early 20th century. These buildings present continual challenges to ensure that they remain fit for the purpose of treating patients and training dentists. NHS Greater Glasgow remains committed to maintaining these premises in the best possible condition. The long-term future of this facility remains under close consideration as part of Glasgow’s modernisation programme for its hospital buildings.

Employment

Ms Sandra White (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will support the main proposal of the Equal Opportunities Commission’s report, Britain’s Hidden Brain Drain which urges the UK Government to extend the right to request flexible working to all carers and mothers and fathers rather than only those with young or disabled children as a way of encouraging a more flexible and enterprising Scottish economy and what plans it has to raise awareness of this right.

Allan Wilson: The Scottish Executive is committed to encouraging the growth of flexible working and welcomes the Equal Opportunities Commission’s (EOC) report. We understand the detail of the EOC report is still being considered by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) along with other responses to the recent "Work and Families: Choice and Flexibility" consultation exercise. Employment Relations is a reserved matter on which DTI lead. We await their response to the consultation including the case for extending the law to carers of adults and parents of older children.

Employment

Ms Sandra White (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it supports the Equal Opportunities Commission’s proposal to develop a national strategy in Scotland to tackle gender segregation in training and work which will specifically address the needs of people working or training flexibly, including part-time, as referred to in its report, Britain’s Hidden Brain Drain .

Allan Wilson: We have no plans to draw up a national strategy in Scotland. Work is already being done in several areas to encourage women into traditional male-dominated occupations and vice-versa. Work to date has been focused on construction, child care, the police, teacher education and gender stereotyping in schools. We believe that continuing to implement the Equality Strategy with the aim of mainstreaming equality throughout the policy making process, across the different relevant portfolio areas would be more effective. This provides a means by which action can be put in place by strategic collaborative partnership working, without the need to develop individual strategies to tackle specific areas of policy. It remains our opinion that collaborative partnership working will be far more productive in achieving demonstrable results in gender segregation. The Executive is committed to working with Equal Opportunities Commission Scotland, Scottish Enterprise and Careers Scotland to tackle occupational segregation in the workplace.

Employment

Ms Sandra White (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to introduce free or subsidised training for small businesses to enable managers to receive training and advice on how to manage flexible working.

Allan Wilson: We have no plans to subsidise specific training for small businesses on the management of flexible working. However, learndirect Scotland for business, local enterprise companies and the Business Gateway offer businesses advice on their training requirements. Business Learning Accounts (BLAs) are being piloted and offer financial support, for business growth related training, to small businesses which do not traditionally invest in training.

Employment

Ms Sandra White (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will introduce a relevant standard for managing people working flexibly as part of the Investors in People scheme.

Allan Wilson: Investors in People (IiP) recognises the importance and benefits of a flexible working approach and this already forms part of the scheme. Following a review of the IiP Standard in 2004, work-life balance and flexible working have been included in, and are now covered by, the new IiP Profile Tool. The tool allows an organisation to establish how well it measures up to the IiP Standard. It also gives an organisation the opportunity to benchmark itself with its peers. In this way, the tool will show how good that organisation is in comparison to others and where further improvements could be made.

  As a result of feedback from employers, IiP also introduced the Work-Life Balance Model in 2003. This model, which can be used by organisations both within and outside the IiP scheme, encourages organisations to use work-life balance solutions to improve the way they do business and make their organisation a more attractive place to work. Flexible working might be one of the solutions adopted by an organisation using the model.

Employment

Mrs Margaret Ewing (Moray) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many extra training programmes have been introduced since 1999 in respect of finding employment for teenagers.

Allan Wilson: There have been no extra training programmes introduced since 1999, although the number of training places within existing programmes such as the MA Programme, Get Ready for Work and New Deal for Young people has increased.

Environment

Jim Mather (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of the Minister for Environment and Rural Development’s recent announcement that the greenhouse gas inventory for Scotland has shown a steady decline in emissions, what information it has on how this decline compares with equivalent trends in England and Wales.

Ross Finnie: Table ES1 in Greenhouse Gas Inventories for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland 1990-2003  (Bib. number 37621) provides a summary of greenhouse gas emission trends for the UK and its constituent countries.

Environment

Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive where comments received on the implementation of the EU Energy in Performance in Buildings Directive will be published.

Johann Lamont: I have asked Dr Paul Stollard, Chief Executive of the Scottish Building Standards Agency (SBSA), to answer. His response is as follows:

  Responses received on the Directive consultation, due in March 2006, will be made available to the public in the Scottish Executive Library and on the Scottish Executive consultation website pages. An analysis and summary of the consultation responses will also be made available in the Scottish Executive Library.

European Union

Mrs Margaret Ewing (Moray) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has made any applications for funding under Strand A of INTERREG III.

Mrs Margaret Ewing (Moray) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what applications for funding it has made under Strand B of INTERREG III.

Mrs Margaret Ewing (Moray) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what applications for funding it has made under Strand C of INTERREG III.

Allan Wilson: Scotland participates in four INTERREG IIIB (Trans-national cooperation) programmes – Northern Periphery, North Sea, North West Europe and Atlantic Area - and the INTERREG IIIC (Inter-regional) programme. INTERREG IIIA focuses on co-operation in border regions between member states. There is, therefore, no Scottish involvement in this strand.

  The Scottish Executive does not participate directly in INTERREG IIIB and C projects. It is, however, actively involved in the Programme Monitoring Committees that oversee the programmes; works with project applicants to help develop projects; is involved in the appraisal of projects with Scottish partners, and encourages Scottish partners to participate.

Ferry Services

Colin Fox (Lothians) (SSP): To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on how much it cost to repair the MV Hascosay , a NorthLink cargo boat, while it was in dry dock in Fredrickshavn in Denmark in March and April 2005.

Tavish Scott: The price paid for this work is a commercially sensitive matter between NorthLink and the Danish company that carried out the work. However, I understand that NorthLink is confident that the price paid represented good value for money and that in addition, the majority of the costs involved were covered by NorthLink’s insurers.

Fisheries

John Farquhar Munro (Ross, Skye and Inverness West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive when it will deliver on the Partnership Agreement commitment to legislate to permit enforcement of regulating orders within the range of activities of the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency and when the legislation will come into force.

Ross Finnie: We shall be consulting shortly on our intention to make provision during Stage 2 consideration of the Police, Public Order and Criminal Justice (Scotland) Bill to permit the enforcement of Regulating Orders by the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency.

  The Bill was introduced to the Scottish Parliament in September. It would require to be passed by the Scottish Parliament and to gain Royal Assent before it could be brought into force. Subject to parliamentary approval, the Bill is likely to be submitted for Royal Assent by summer 2006.

Fisheries

Fergus Ewing (Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive why the recreational sea angling sector is not represented on the Scottish Inshore Fisheries Advisory Group.

Ross Finnie: The Scottish Inshore Fisheries Advisory Group (SIFAG) deals primarily with matters relating to the commercial fishing sector. A key part of the group’s current work is the on-going implementation of the Strategic Framework for Inshore Fisheries in Scotland. The framework introduces a number of changes to inshore fisheries management, including significantly increased opportunities for all relevant stakeholders to play a greater role in the development and management of inshore fisheries. Reflecting these changes, a review of the structure and function of SIFAG is scheduled to take place in spring 2006. Applications for membership will be considered then.

Fisheries

Fergus Ewing (Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will appoint a representative of the recreational sea angling sector to the Scottish Inshore Fisheries Advisory Group.

Ross Finnie: The Strategic Framework for Inshore Fisheries in Scotland introduces significant changes to the management, organisation and development of inshore fisheries. Implementation of the framework is on-going and progressing well. Part of this process will involve review of the structure and function of the ScottishInshore Fisheries Advisory Group. That review is scheduled to take place in spring 2006 and applications for membership will be considered then.

Freight

Fergus Ewing (Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide details of any instances where a recipient of (a) Track Access Grant or (b) Freight Facilities Grant has been asked to repay any element as a consequence of the purpose for which the grant was given not having been fulfilled for the requisite period.

Tavish Scott: There is only one case involved. On 26 November 2001, the Executive made an award of freight facilities grant totalling £289,469 but rail freight traffic to the business concerned ceased well before it was able to fulfil its commitments in the grant offer agreement. Consequently, officials had discussions with the company about the repayment of an appropriate proportion of the grant and agreement has recently been reached on this issue.

Freight

Mr David Davidson (North East Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what commitments it has received from rail freight companies to make use of enhanced gauging between Mossend and Elgin and how many additional rail journeys this will generate each year.

Tavish Scott: Without the gauge enhancement scheme, there is a risk that the existing freight traffic could be lost to road whilst the decision to progress allows for increased movement of freight by rail. This is a significant development for the north east of Scotland as it will deliver environmental and economical benefits, and it reaffirms the Scottish Executive’s commitment to a more efficient distribution of freight.

  Whilst it is not possible to gain commitments from the freight operating companies or their customers until the project is complete, detailed forecasting and marketing consultation has revealed a strong desire for the additional capacity and North East Scotland Rail Freight Development Group will be responsible for marketing and promoting the new facility with the aim of gaining optimum use.

  Our forecasting cannot confirm the number of extra trains that will run, but it does indicate that the enhanced gauge will result in a reduction of lorry use by around 12.3 million vehicle kilometres per year.

Fuel

Richard Lochhead (North East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether any assessment has been, or is being, made in respect of the impact of rising fuel prices and, if so, whether it will provide details of the assessment.

Tavish Scott: The taxation of fuel is a matter reserved to the UK Government. However, Scottish ministers are monitoring the current situation and will continue to ensure that Scotland’s interests are placed firmly on the agenda in Whitehall on fuel costs as on other matters, through direct contact with Treasury Ministers.

Historic Buildings

Mr John Home Robertson (East Lothian) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is concerned about the condition of the remains of the stonework at Yester Castle and what steps are being taken by Historic Scotland to ensure that the structure is kept in satisfactory repair.

Patricia Ferguson: The Scottish Executive is concerned about the condition of Yester Castle. Yester Castle is a Scheduled Ancient Monument and the responsibility for the management of the site rests with the owner. Historic Scotland has been working to ensure Yester Castle’s conservation and has provided the owner with architectural and engineering advice. Historic Scotland has recently requested a meeting with the owner or his representative in order to progress works.

Justice

Mr Kenny MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive in how many cases since 1999 where an accused appeared before a court on a charge of (a) murder, (b) culpable homicide, (c) rape and (d) a serious sexual offence bail was not opposed by the Crown, broken down by Sheriff Court district.

Colin Boyd QC: The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service only records in its national database whether bail was granted or refused for each accused. It does not record in the database whether bail was sought by an accused or whether the Crown opposed the granting of bail and it is therefore not possible to provide the information requested.

Rail Network

Richard Lochhead (North East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what improvements are planned for the Edinburgh/Glasgow to Aberdeen and the Aberdeen to Inverness rail links and what the estimated timescales are.

Tavish Scott: The Executive has initiated a range of work to inform decisions on changes to the network and services in future. We have commissioned a Scottish Planning Assessment to consider where the demand for rail services is likely to grow over the next 10 to 20 years, and to identify where the rail services may need to be adapted to meet this demand. We have issued a consultation asking for views on what the strategic priorities for rail should be. As part of the development of the rail strategy, Network Rail are undertaking a Route Utilisation Study, and this will identify opportunities for change over the shorter term. Services between Aberdeen and Edinburgh/Glasgow are part of these assessments.

Roads

Fergus Ewing (Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive to what transport projects funding has been committed using funding which was to have been used for the delayed M74 extension.

Tavish Scott: Following the Court of Session challenge to the M74 Completion, arrangements are being made to seek tenders for the A876 Upper Forth Crossing at Kincardine, the A68 Dalkeith Bypass, the A830 Arisaig to Loch Nan Uamh improvement and 3 Route Action Plan improvements on the A75.

  The Scottish Executive is also supporting the construction of the A8000 by the City of Edinburgh Council.

Sport

Michael Matheson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made by sportscotland in achieving its targets set out in Sport 21 that by 2020 (a) 80% of primary school children will be physically active, (b) 85% of those aged 13 to 17 years will take part in sport, in addition to the school curriculum, more than once a week, (c) progress will be made toward children taking part in at least two hours of high-quality physical education classes a week, (d) 49% of those aged 14 and over living in Social Inclusion Partnership areas will be taking part in sport at least once a week, (e) over 1 million Scots will play sport as members of clubs and (f) Scotland will sustain 150,000 volunteers who are contributing to the development and delivery of Scottish sport and how sportscotland is monitoring progress made on these targets.

Patricia Ferguson: The targets referred to are set to be achieved by 2007. Information from  sportscotland on progress towards meeting the targets is set out in the following table below. Further information can on Sport 21 can be found on  sportscotland’s website:

  http://www.sportscotland.org.uk/ChannelNavigation/Our+activities/TopicNavigation/Sport+21/

  

Target
Progress
Monitoring Process


80% of primary school children will be physically active
Information not available until later in 2005 to be measured against baseline of 78% for boys and 66% for girls
Monitored through the Scottish Health Survey


85% of those aged 13 to 17 years will take part in sport, in addition to the school curriculum, more than once a week
72% for 2003-04 against a baseline of 79%
Monitored through the Scottish Opinion Survey


progress will be made toward children taking part in at least two hours of high-quality physical education classes a week
Baseline data on level of provision of physical education not available until end of 2005.
HMIE to monitor progress as part of future inspection process


49% of those aged 14 and over living in Social Inclusion Partnership areas will be taking part in sport at least once a week
40% for 2003-04 against a baseline of 46%
Monitored through the Scottish Opinion Survey


over 1 million Scots will play sport as members of clubs
957,000 in 2003-04 against a baseline of 926,000
Monitored through the Scottish Opinion Survey


Scotland will sustain 150,000 volunteers who are contributing to the development and delivery of Scottish sport
134,600 regular volunteers against a baseline of 150-160,000
Monitored through the Scottish Opinion Survey

Sport

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-18015 by Patricia Ferguson on 16 August 2005, what Scottish representation there is to inform decisions relating to planning and organising the games of the XXX Olympiad.

Patricia Ferguson: The Scottish Executive and agencies such as  sportscotland, Scottish Enterprise, VisitScotland and the Scottish Arts Council will develop their working relations with the UK Government and other key organisations responsible for delivering the Games and Team GB’s participation in them. These include the newly established London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (LOCOG) and the Olympic Delivery Authority to be established by the London Olympics Bill currently before the Westminster Parliament.

  The Nations and Regions Group established during the bid phase is being reconstituted by LOCOG to provide a mechanism for planning and co-ordinating input from all the UK nations and regions to the delivery of the Games and their associated benefits. Mr Charles Allen – a Scot – will continue to chair this Group on which the chair of sportscotland, Ms Julia Bracewell, will serve as the Executive’s nominee. We are also reforming the Scottish Co-ordinating Committee, established during the bid phase, under Ms Bracewell’s chairmanship to oversee and co-ordinate the development and implementation of strategies aimed at ensuring that the potential benefits to Scotland of the 2012 Games are realised and maximised.

  The Scottish Co-ordinating Committee will be supported by a new team within the Executive to co-ordinate work on the 2012 Games and the Executive’s input to the bid to stage the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Sport

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-18015 by Patricia Ferguson on 16 August 2005, whether it will provide details of the proposals for the games of the XXX Olympiad which relate to Scotland as contained in London 2012’s candidature file.

Patricia Ferguson: The venue schedule in the London 2012 candidature file shows that Hampden Park will stage football matches on 25, 26, 28, 29 and 31 July and 1, 3, 4 and 6 August 2012. There will be both men’s and women’s matches at Hampden.

Student Loans

Fiona Hyslop (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many student loan borrowers have been declared bankrupt in each year since student loans were introduced.

The Executive have supplied the following corrected answer:

Nicol Stephen: The number of Scottish student loan borrowers who have been declared bankrupt to 2003 is given in the answer to question S2W-6052 on 2 March 2004. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search .

  The number declaring bankruptcy in 2004 is 289.

  There is no statutory requirement for bankrupt students to notify the Student Loans Company of their status, so the figures given will not include all bankruptcies.

  This is a correction to the earlier answer to this parliamentary question given by Jim Wallace MSP on 28 February 2005. I have written to Ms Hyslop to say that the Student Loans Company have apologised for their mistake and that they have asked for their apologies to be passed onto Parliament. My letter has been lodged in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 37248).

Tourism

Roseanna Cunningham (Perth) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the value was of bookings taken by visitscotland.com for tourist providers in Perth and Kinross and what percentage of total Scottish bookings taken this represented in (a) the first 18 months of visitscotland.com’s operation and (b) the most recent six months for which figures are available.

Patricia Ferguson: The value of bookings made through visitscotland.com for tourist providers in the Perth and Kinross area for the first eighteen months of its operation was £233,000. This business represented 3% of all bookings made through visitscotland.com during this period. The value of bookings made during the period April and September 2005 was £674,673, which represented 6% of all Scottish bookings made through visitscotland.com. The latter figure is broadly in line with the proportion of Scottish tourism value accounted in the area.